Collapsible scrub bucket



May 19 19531` vD. K. sANDERs'oN :2,638,952

COLLAPSIBLE SCRUB BUCKET Filed April 29, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l I y li l-rw3 d I' 1 l Y 2G 33 13| l 2'@ 8o 35 3 2G 6L*- '40 INVENTOR.

Dome K. SANDERSON A T TORNEI M0319 11953 n.4K. sANDERsN '2,633952 l Y u COLLAPSIBLE scRUB BUGKTv Filed Apruhzs, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2 I .4. A4" m w WWW INVENTOR.

Dorus I SANDERsoN ATTORNEY Patented May 19, l1.953

UNITED STATES PATENT] OFFICE 'y i. l' 2,638,952 n coLLA-PslBLEscRUB BUCKET f Y. vDoris K. Sanderson, Rochester, N.-Y.

Application' April Z9, 1950, Serial No. 158,971` i This invention relates generally to' apparatus :for facilitating the use of scrub-buckets andthe like and'more particularly to an improvedconstruction of a scrub-bucket assembly which isof rrelatively small and 'compact design, which is "readily portable, which isvadapted to conveniently vtransport the necessary cleaning fluids and mate'- rials to the place of their use,` and -which is readily Icollapsed when not in use to facilitate its storage in any out-of-the-way small space.

Among lthe principal objects of the present invention isv to provide a scrub-bucket assembly which basically includes awheeled supporting frame for 'a pair of collapsible tubs, the `frame :being collapsible into the form of v-a compact, readily .transportable unit and' the tubs being so operatively associated with the frame Ithat upon collapse of the frame the tubs are automatically' compacted within the confines of the collapsed frame. Conversely, when the frame is expanded into its fully extended open condition, 'the tubsr are automatically expanded -to form vessels of ample capacity for receiving the necessary cleaning liquids.

Still another and important object of the present invention is to provide a Wheeled collapsible frame for a pair "of ilexible liquid-receivingtubs whichare'respectively so removablymounted in v the frame that the latterserves as a transport-'- ing dolly for the tubs when lled with water or other cleaning liquid, the tubs being individually lretractible for disposition within the connes of the frame when 'the assembly iscollapsed'into compact form for storage while notl in use.- `v` Y' vOther objects and advantages of-theginven tion, relating to details-of construction and economies effected Vby and through use of the invenftion, will appear more fully'herei'naf-ter, it being n understood that the present invention consists substantially Ain the combination, construction', location :and vrelative arrangement ofparts', all asdescribed in detail-hereinafter, as shownin the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed outinthe'appended claims-' v In the accompanying drawings Awhich are illustrative of a preferred form and construction ofthe inventioni Figure 1 is a perspective view of the'scrubbucket assembly as constructed in accordance with and embodying ,the principles of the present invention; y Figure 2 is a side'. elevational View of the expandedunit shown in Figure 1; .i

. Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the uni as it appears when collapsed for storage;

.Figure 4 is Ia top plan view of the unit shown `in Figure 1; x f

Figure 5 is a sectionalviewfas Itaken along the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view as taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 3; l

Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the expanded unit showing the same operatively attached to a window sill; I

Figure 8 is a .partial section view of a detail of construction, said view being takenalong the line 8-8 of Figure 5; I

Figure 9 isadetailview on a somewhat enlarged scale of the brace as viewed from the line 9-9 of Figure 1 for locking the frame in its eX- panded operative form; and

Figure 10 is a View :corresponding to that 'of Figure 9 but showing the-locking -brace disengaged'from its frame-locking position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be observed'that the apparatus ofthe present invention generally comprises a collapsible frame designated generallyby the reference numeral I0 for supporting a pair of liquidreceiving tubs Il--I l, these latter beingfformed of any suitable flexible and waterproof material, such as, rubber, plasticA or the like, so as to render them each readily collapsible from its fully extended form shown in Figures l, 2 and 5 into its collapsed form shown inlFigure 6.

The supporting frame l0 forthe collapsible liquid-receiving tubs lI--II includes a bottom member I2 of generally rectangular form,` preferably stampedof sheet metal and provided along its perimetral edges with `depending', reinforcing flanges I3-I3 and' lll-I4. Preferably, the cen-'- tral portionr of the member I2 is depressed, asr at I5, to provide a common seat for the bottom-ends of the tubs Il--I l, the recess l5 serving also to receive anyliquid that may drip from aibrush or ragI momentarily laid upon the top surface of line bcttom member l2 in the `vicinity of the'tubs In addition to the bottom member l2, the tub downwardly and inwardly inclined, as showin' these longitudinally extending sidemallsibeing each provided with a depending external ange IB. member are each provided 'along `their edges with a rolled portion I9 forming a tubiilar socket for the retractable hanger hookizo -iobe referred `to more fully hereinafter. Formed in the harifzuntaily ydispiosed bpdy portion of `the `top member t8 lare ia' fpair iof icircular #openings through which are adapted to 'be-.projected :the tnbsitlffii'll Ebner tube Urlid :are .eaoh promidedatitheir limit? f-i with :a inel'niheral supporting irin'ilor bead 2l, such rim or bead being eaohiinstance suitably '.ieIIfQrCed by 'an internal wiire `or `li1-:e element 22 molded i-:otherwise suitably ii'ncorlindicated withinthefrmnribead.' 'Bhe ii'mzoizxbead f 2l promets radially :outwardly :fromitne uppei- .marginal teclee 'the tub' to form an annulaishoulder which is adapted to rest upoiiitheiiiar.-

@QSC oihe .opiling fiorpiad in ithe"?top member i6, each tub being suspended :by ,its

shoulder :rim imm fine In order to lock'the o sagainst :placement from itlieimeinber it, ,earn :.of ebbe. ihbs qlimgt! .fie intended with@ plurality. ofv ferentially spaced lugs 2 3, nnQfQIa-hy# :integral Qutwafdli/.inreiecting-elementslofineriiib. the @1.015.119 shown. -ieaeri tui 'ded ini three of such integrally form of whioh e?? ipe-ee@ Fem ftheiubnaunim .-.e rim :21x a eisten... est .uc-ierit-torerniit the @alleen-e hammam Q ber VH5 When the rim ?,Ylmber FIGA. to pr thlfremwhenthei .tubs fiilly expanded* @immane is collapsed and stored away with the tup i" Compressed conditi. i; .ingiFieui Th? :11H-bts HHM NQlyi-'Q l more 0.1' less snugly fit Wit-hierher. ieeaeit Opnine there@ ffrmed :inthe member. if...

@legname :liquid Ithe i eight. .of the aient. to @effect e weterfieht between the upper rim of the tub and the surface of thegmem? DE? l5.. which@ enge-eedby'the'-lin1, :thereby inremean .uni 4 venting seepage of any liquid from the upper surface of the member IG downwardly along the outer surface of the tubs supported thereby.

The members l2 and I6 are normally disposed 5 in spaced substantially parallel relation, the spacing therebetween when the apparatus is expanded for use being such as to permit the tubs lI-H to be fully extended. In order to maintain the de siredparallel relationship between the top and of ai nbisiipmiimg frame when they latter is either in its expanded condition or in its collapsed condition, the said memi.bers are interconnected at each of their corre- .;sponding earners by a toggle joint consisting of al pir'of links 25 and 26 which are hingedly conineoted ltogether, as at 2l, upon the reduced end @La hinge 2,8, The outer extremity of the ipperiinkishinged, as at 29, to a depending .Sdeiange I8 of the top member i6, while the outer extremity of thelink 26 is hinged, as at n.' it@ a eide ferie@ di! Q1? lendemain-.12er l2- ?ltls i D .rati

les@ at ...are faire .ze Rire-risate inet r the maire@ tosele eagle@ ier @weer ezeetively er-@ridad with meer mi 25a .Q3-$26@ wel@ areneet one a the? weer ille-mini i5 i1 anni@ aandient..-

ith. .einer sleoilii t e 'breezes "thetop of theiigrgspge- Siete?. aies.

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finiti@ eef mtre-Geiletive .snugly riserva@ presenting. .channeled iiwlliafithi eperiiing` l amel?, .i

vwalls andother adjoining vertical surfaces, vfor which purpose the apparatus isequipped with the extensible hook-shaped members -20. lThese members 20-20'are each provided with van elongated stem 34, which is telescopically received within the tubular socket I9 formed a-t each end of the top member I6. The inner end of the stem I4 of each member 20 is provided with an enlargement 35, while the forward end of the socket I9 receiving the stem is fitted with a tubular sleeve 36 which serves as a guide for the stem as it is axially shifted relatively to its socket I9. The sleeve 36 is suitably fixed in the outer end of the socket, as by crimping the same therein, as shown in Figure 4, this sleeve 36 so fixed serving then as an outer abutment preventing full withdrawal of the member 20 from its associated socket I9. A coiled compression spring 31, arranged in embracing relation with respect to the stem 34 of each member 20 with its opposite ends respectively in engagement with the enlargement 35 at the inner end of the stem and the guide sleeve 36 at the outer end of the socket I9, provides the member 20 with a spring bias tending normally to maintain the member 20 retracted in its socket I9.

When it is desired to suspend the apparatus upon a window sill, as shown in Figure '7, the hook members 20--20 are each outwardly extended to permit their hooked extremities to engage over the outer edge of the window sill, as shown, with the extended portions of the stems 34 of the hook members resting upon the top surface of the sill to thereby support the apparatus in its elevated position. Preferably, the hooked extremities of the members 20-20 are rubber covered.

In order to insure requisite stability of the apparatus when supported by its hook members 20-20, as shown in Figure 7, it is preferably provided with a pair of members 38--38 respectively pivotally secured to the top surface of the bottom member I2, as at 38a, for swinging movement in a horizontal plane outwardly of the longitudinal side edge of the member I2. The free end of each brace 38 is provided with a rubber covered projection 39 which, when the lever is extended outwardly substantially at right angles to the flange I4, is adapted to engage Ithe wall beneath the window sill, all as most clearly shown in Figure '7. Preferably, the braces 38-38 are each provided intermediate their lengths with a downturned lug 40 which is adapted to engage flatwise against the outer face of the flange I4 to limit inward swinging movement of the brace 38.

Mounted upon the bottom member I2 upon the side thereof opposite that to which the braces 38-38 are pivotally mounted is a support or holder 4I for a can of scouring powder or the like. This holder 4I is suitably stamped of sheet metal 'to provide a horizontally disposed can supporting body member 42, which is pivotally secured, as at 43, to the upper surface of the bottom member I2 of the apparatus. The body member 42 of the can holder is provided with a plurality of upstandinglugsl 44 spaced approximately.l 1-20 degrees apart to peripherally engage the bottom of a can supported upon the holder 42. Preferably, thevholderisfurther provided with adepending-flange 45, which is adapted for'disposition ilatwise against the longitudinally extending side'flange I4 ofthe bottom member I2 of the apparatus' to limit inward Aswinging movement of the can holder relatively to -ts support. This flangef45 constitutes a'streng'thening brace .for the-canholder when ythe latter is extended as shown in- Figure 1.y The inner vertical edge 46 of this dependingflangeserves to limitoutward swinging movement of the can holder, this edge 46 being engageable with -tlie flange I4 to brace the can holderwhen it is swung into its position shownin'lFigure l. v

yIt will be'noted that all ofl the'relatively moveablev parts of the apparatus are designed to' be disposed -within- Athe external confines of the appara-tus whenever-,such parts are not intended to be placed in use 1` Thus, when the apparatus is collapsed for storage it is devoid of all projecting parts which may be accidentally engaged to dislodge it from its stored position.

If desired, the bottom member I2 may be fitted at one end thereof with an apertured projection 41 by means of'which the collapsed apparatus may be conveniently hung upon a hook and which serves also to detachably receive, if desired, a handle (not shown) for moving the apparatus about the floor. Also, if desired, the apparatus may be provided with any suitable latching means (not shown) to releasably interlock the top and bottom members I2 and I6 when the apparatus is collapsed as shown in Figures 3 and 6.

While the apparatus of the' present invention has been described as particularly adapted for use as a collapsible scrub-bucket assembly, it will be apparent that it is capable of other uses. For example, it may be employed as a collapsible laundry tub assembly, and it will be understood accordingly that it is not intended to limit the present invention to any specific use.

It will be understood, also, that the apparatus of the present invention is suscepticle of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit of the invention, and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

l. A collapsible unit of the character described comprising a pair of substantially coextensive plate members arranged in vertically spaced, substantially parallel relation, the upper one of said members having an aperture therein providing an annular ledge for suspension of a tub from said apertured plate member, an opentopped flexible tub operatively disposed between said members and adapted to be expanded to receive a liquid when said members are spread apart and to be collapsed between said members when the latter are brought together, said tub having a beaded top edge which overlies said annular ledge and is adapted to be quick-releasably locked to said ledge, and means interconnecting said plate members for shifting the,- same toward and away from each other to eiect collapse and expansion of said exible tub there-- between, said interconnecting means including. at each opposite end of the unit a pair of toggle.` Joints and a transversely extending rod interconnecting the paired joints for commonly actu- GMW - vIn e celepsible asfelemd--m :elaine l wherein-@11e :averi/med mete memberextem :1&11 @rally afbouw the mp edge @i vub euspemed fthenefmm :and is nwyised `vifffll e penimetmlily contimwus mise@ -wa-lal la @nime nherewhfn :my liquid Splazelxes @ut @i seid dem.

.13.. im 1a @Mausi-.kzie puni@ afs dem@ in. f1 wherein me uppermst :31eme nmhex pmvided with .a pair of apertures for .reipc/twery 4afzfxe'eiwf ing Va pair of seid flexible mbe. AtmJOS being edaptes for eimulmnegus -cglapgse end :eman- .SlOkL A.. e cla'psible mit .as demdm daim "l wherein the lowermost plate member :LS Mmmierate end gis 'plwided with a depresse@ :region adepted't@ )seme as La; .seatw' ploeex @m2129111 @ended from he wiper BQRIS K. @ANDERSQN Nafme 4' Bate 

